100 Most Influential Figures Wrestling (update 2)

[Spyke the Pacers Fan]

Good Ol' JR... Jim Ross... made the play-by-play announcer position exciting and important

[revelations]

He was little before my time, but I've heard nothing but good things about Bobo Brazil and how he was the first black wrestler to really transcend racism and discrimination problems and become a huge star, especially during the 60s and 70s when it was extremely vicious.

[Deleted]

Bobo Brazil was a big name and was damn influential and deserves to be on the list. Two of these next three might be questionable but:

Mil Mascaras
Konnan
Vampiro

Now Mascaras is a given but lemme justify Konnan and Vampiro. While their US careers have been less than sterling in Mexico at Lucha Libres peak they were bigger than rock stars, movie stars even and left a huge impact on the mexican wrestling scene. Thats up to you though just a personal thought of mine.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

Mil Mascaras, yes!!

if we're gonna put him in is there a space for Dr Wagner?

[Deleted]

Also Brain Pillman, the guy was a driving force in introducing the cruiserweight/junior heavyweight style to the US and his shoot style promos made a huge impact, as people to this day try and perform them, although they are nowhere hear as good at implementing it.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

Two more id like to nominate:

The Great Sasuke
Atsushi Onita

[mrwednesdaynight]

Gordon Solie. He was JR before there was JR and he taught JR everything he knows. In my mind at least, he is the standard by which all other play by play announcers should be messured. While Vince and Gorilla were saying "What a manuvuer" to every move, Gordon educated the fans to the proper name of moves. There are probably plenty of more reason but I think I made my point.

[admiralcrunchy™]

1.Hulk Hogan
2.Vince Russo
3.Jake Roberts
4.Billy Graham
5.Jimmy Snuka
6.Mick Foley
7.Vince McMahon
8.Bret Hart
9.Eddie Guerrero
10.Steve Austin
11.Paul Heyman
12.George Hackenschmidt
13.Roddy Piper
14.The Original Shiek
15.Adrian Street
16.Pat Patterson
17.Ted DiBiase
18.Road Warriors
19.Gold Dust Trio
20.Gorgeous George
21.Edge & Christian
22.Cyndi Lauper
23Andre the Giant
24.Rikidozan
25.Antonio Inoki
26.Giant Baba
27.Randy Savage
28.Chris Jericho
29.Sting
30.Shawn Michaels
31.Martin Burns
32.Ric Flair
33.Bobby Heenan
34.Ted Turner
35.Rey Mysterio
36.Psychosis
37.Saturo Sayama (original Tiger Mask)
38.Dynamite Kid
39.Jushin 'Thunder' Lyger
40.Jeff Hardy
41. The Rock
42.Chyna
43. DX
44. Bruiser Brody
45.The Shiek
46.Terry Funk
47.Sabu
48.El Santo
49.Blue Demon
50.Jim Johnston
51.Tammy Sytch
52.Andy Kaufman
53.Buddy Rodgers
54.Undertaker
55.Eric Bischoff
56.Dusty Rhodes
57.Antonio Rocca
58.Stu Hart
59.Lou Thesz

60. The Grand Wizard Ernie Roth

Influenced the way that managers today should be portrayed. He played the small heel manager role to pure perfection and is one of the greatest of all time.

[revelations]

Michael Hayes. I believe he was one of the first to use ring music and create a kick ass entrance. Pioneered the Freebirds, one of the greatest teams of all time, and went on to mentor tons of young talent such as Edge, the Hardyz, etc. Legend in the business, and greatest wrestling mullet of all time.

[shastamcnasty]

Here's some current wrestlers who i think should be on the list

-Kurt Angle
-Triple H

[Deleted]

Personally I think the Freebirds should fill one entry by their lonesome. Also while I'm here, Verne Gagne. Controlled the AWA which was hugely successful and gave birth to numerous stars including Hulk Hogan, the Rockers, Scott Hall, Curt Hennig and dozens more.

[Deleted]

1.Hulk Hogan
2.Vince Russo
3.Jake Roberts
4.Billy Graham
5.Jimmy Snuka
6.Mick Foley
7.Vince McMahon
8.Bret Hart
9.Eddie Guerrero
10.Steve Austin
11.Paul Heyman
12.George Hackenschmidt
13.Roddy Piper
14.The Original Shiek
15.Adrian Street
16.Pat Patterson
17.Ted DiBiase
18.Road Warriors
19.Gold Dust Trio
20.Gorgeous George
21.Edge & Christian
22.Cyndi Lauper
23Andre the Giant
24.Rikidozan
25.Antonio Inoki
26.Giant Baba
27.Randy Savage
28.Chris Jericho
29.Sting
30.Shawn Michaels
31.Martin Burns
32.Ric Flair
33.Bobby Heenan
34.Ted Turner
35.Rey Mysterio
36.Psychosis
37.Saturo Sayama (original Tiger Mask)
38.Dynamite Kid
39.Jushin 'Thunder' Lyger
40.Jeff Hardy
41. The Rock
42.Chyna
43. DX
44. Bruiser Brody
45.The Shiek
46.Terry Funk
47.Sabu
48.El Santo
49.Blue Demon
50.Jim Johnston
51.Tammy Sytch
52.Andy Kaufman
53.Buddy Rodgers
54.Undertaker
55.Eric Bischoff
56.Dusty Rhodes
57.Antonio Rocca
58.Stu Hart
59.Lou Thesz
60. "The Grand Wizard" Ernie Roth

61. Jerry Lawler: Biggest legend in Memphis wrestling history, actually survived and turned back the WWF while it was on its rampage throughout the country by staying put. Successfully sued Vince McMahon for advertising "The King" (Harley Race) at "Memphis territorial" WWF shows. Pushed Memphis wrestling through its hot periods during the 70s and 80s. A lot of eventually-huge stars got their feet wet in Memphis, including Randy Savage, Kurt Angle, The Rock, Cactus Jack. Introduced hardcore wrestling to the forefront with many bloody brawls in the territory.

62. Fred Blassie: The face of Los Angeles wrestling. "The Vampire" was a sneaky heel who got people to pay good money to watch him get his ass kicked. Used television to cut big promos. First major American star to get over huge in Japan. Feud with John Tolos at 50 remains legendary. Became "the face of the old school era" in WWF promos. "Perncil neck geek" is his calling card, which wrestlers use today.

[ACG2x]

1.Hulk Hogan
2.Vince Russo
3.Jake Roberts
4.Billy Graham
5.Jimmy Snuka
6.Mick Foley
7.Vince McMahon
8.Bret Hart
9.Eddie Guerrero
10.Steve Austin
11.Paul Heyman
12.George Hackenschmidt
13.Roddy Piper
14.The Original Shiek
15.Adrian Street
16.Pat Patterson
17.Ted DiBiase
18.Road Warriors
19.Gold Dust Trio
20.Gorgeous George
21.Edge & Christian
22.Cyndi Lauper
23Andre the Giant
24.Rikidozan
25.Antonio Inoki
26.Giant Baba
27.Randy Savage
28.Chris Jericho
29.Sting
30.Shawn Michaels
31.Martin Burns
32.Ric Flair
33.Bobby Heenan
34.Ted Turner
35.Rey Mysterio
36.Psychosis
37.Saturo Sayama (original Tiger Mask)
38.Dynamite Kid
39.Jushin 'Thunder' Lyger
40.Jeff Hardy
41. The Rock
42.Chyna
43. DX
44. Bruiser Brody
45.The Shiek
46.Terry Funk
47.Sabu
48.El Santo
49.Blue Demon
50.Jim Johnston
51.Tammy Sytch
52.Andy Kaufman
53.Buddy Rodgers
54.Undertaker
55.Eric Bischoff
56.Dusty Rhodes
57.Antonio Rocca
58.Stu Hart
59.Lou Thesz
60. The Grand Wizard Ernie Roth

61. Trish Stratus
Revolutionzed the female wrestling division after a l-o-n-g hiatus from quality divas who were over with their looks AND talent. Is the most over female in WWE and is doing it without having to act/dress like a skanky ho. Brought prestige back to the Women's belt and it now actually means something. Half responsible for the first meaningful Diva feud in recent memory.

62. Gordon Solie
I didn't see him on this list and a previous poster nominated him. Absolutely deserves it for being the original quality announcer. Got people over just by his commentary. Plus everything the previous nominator said.

[gimmieabreakbrain]

Jesse Ventura, proved that you can leave wrestling and achieve much better things.

Gorilla Monsoon. One of the first good big guys.

[krzykraka]

NIKILI Volkoff and Nikita Koloff and Ivan Koloff
Without these guys we wouldnt have the USA USA CHANT or Jim Duggan might not have been as over.Also would there be flag on a pole matches?

[admiralcrunchy™]

Also to add on about Ventura...he was the first..call em like you see em guy.

[revelations]

Rock & Roll Express. Inspired The Rockers and Hardyz. One of the first (perhaps THE first?) to do the high flying tag combo gimmick.

[Tom]

Harley Race? Vince McMahon Sr? Bill Watts? Gene Okerlund? Bob Backlund? The Ultimate Warrior? Gory Guerrero? Ricky Steamboat? The Briscoe Brothers? Chris Benoit?

I mean WTF people…

No, let’s put Chyna down. Yeah, Chyna... and Jeff Hardy.

[revelations]

How the hell is Gene Okerlund influential?! And all the Warrior's influence on the business seems to be negative. I agree with your other selections though.

Chyna played a pretty big role in WWE 1997-2000. I can't stand her either, but to say she didn't have an impact on the business is ludicrous.

[thefuture]

Ed The Strangler Lewis.

He's credited with the first intentional loss of a World championship for a big pay-off. If that didn't set a trend, I don't know what did.